31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 31

This post concludes the only marathon I have ever participated in. I call it my marathon of the mind. What a challenge it has been. What a joy it has been. I'm glad God drew me to participate in the 31 Days series when I first saw Melissa, over at The Inspired Room, tweet about it. It was one of those tickling, nagging, refusing to go away kind of issues (See Day 26).  I can hardly believe I really did it.

A huge thank you is due my sweet, patient family who did more than tolerate my constant droning about this blog post and that blog post. They cheered me on every step of the way. And Lou, your love and support enable me to fly. Much love.

I thought it would be helpful to end with the list. Now, at least, I have a place to come back to when I need to remind myself of some of the truths that are helping me navigate this adventure called life.

Here's also the link to the all the participants in the 31 Days series. Now that I'm done, I plan on meandering through those buttons to get some fresh inspiration.

Many thanks also, to you who visit my blog. My prayer is that you find encouragement here - to live life,  to love God and your family and your friends.  You certainly encourage me with your kind comments - here on the blog, and in person. So, until the next blog post, which I can guarantee won't be on Tuesday, many blessings!

Day 1 - 31 Days Introduction

Day 2 - If you have only 5 minutes, don't read my words, read God's

Day 3 - Hold a high head and a booming tail

Day 4 - The precious garden of my home needs tending

Day 5 - Live in day tight compartments

Day 6 - You are loved with an everlasting love. And underneath are the everlasting arms

Day 7 - Go invent something

Day 8 - Willful waste makes woeful want

Day 9 - It's all about the pioneers

Day 10- Do your best and forget the rest

Day 11 - A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Day 12 - Tell yourself the truth

Day 13 - Go ahead and ask. The worst they can say is no.

Day 14 - Many hands make light work

Day 15 - Lord, please let my kids get caught

Day 16 - Guard your heart

Day 17 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Day 18 - Do the next thing

Day 19 - It's just wood, hay, and stubble

Day 20 - Is that the kind of marriage you want?

Day 21 - He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose

Day 22 - Lord, teach me how to think about this

Day 23 - There is always time to do the will of God

Day 24 - God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason

Day 25 - So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day

Day 26 - But Farmer Hoggett knew that little ideas that tickled and nagged, and refused to go away, should never be ignored...for in them lie the seeds of destiny

Day 27 - You can never be too organized, just too inflexible

Day 28 - Don't spit in their soup

Day 29 - It's nothing but fun

Day 30 - Thank you, God

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 30

I've recently read a book that is now on my list of most influential books. 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp is a powerful read, and speaks deeply regarding God, who he is, and his grace. Please know that the book is about more than the quote I'm sharing. But the quote is a huge theme of the book. It's a huge theme of God's book. It's a theme I hope to continue to grow in. And we've all heard it before.

Thank you, God.

Thank you, God....

     -that I was born.

     -that I am breathing at this moment.

     -that you know me and I know you.

     -that you saved me.

     -that you are coming again.

     -that "this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison"

     -that there is a mysterious, beautiful purpose in all you do.

     -that all you do is for your glory and my joy.

     -that I can trust you. 

     -that you are good.

     -that you are just.

     -that you love me.

     -that you gave us the Bible to remind us of all this and more - much more

And I could go on and on and on. 

Everything we are, everything we have, everything we know - everything is a gift from God. He is good. He is just. He is right. He loves us. So we can say thank you, God. And trust him. Even in the hard times. Especially in the hard times. 

It's all a gift. Thank you, God.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 29

It's been 7 years since my dad died. But I can still hear his voice - especially saying the phrase I'm going to share with you today. This is what he'd say, when, as a teenager, I'd be moaning and groaning about something. These were the words he'd say as he would hug a teary-eyed me goodbye when it was time to make the 8 hour drive back to college.  On my wedding day, this is what he said quietly in my ear  right after he said, "Her mother and I."

It's nothing but fun.

I never really pinned him to the wall about the veracity of this phrase. Obviously, not everything we go through is "fun." His death was not fun. I never questioned him about it because I knew what he really meant. At least, I knew the meaning I gave to it.

When he said those four words, I knew I was to look for the good in the situation. I was to seize the joy of the moment. And I was to be hopeful and confident about the future. Being alive was a great adventure, and you never know what's just around the corner.

Before he died, Dad self published a book - My Life as a Country Doctor.

This cover picture is of  my Dad in his office holding my now 22 year old, Luke

In it are some of his "nothing but fun" stories. His adventures. They are not all happy. One chapter is titled,  My Saddest Day in Practice. But even in that chapter, he shared the kindness and compassion that others showed to him. He saw that as a real gift. And he was thankful. It's that kind of living that is hopeful, that gives you confidence.

I think if I could ask dad what all he really meant by this statement, I think the words gift and thankful would be sprinkled in the conversation. Life is nothing if not a gift. A gift from God. But using the word fun is so my dad. It still rings in my ear.  And I'm thankful.

Note: My dad was thankful too. Below is the last paragraph he wrote in his book.

I hope you, as a reader of this book, know that I am blessed to have been a country doctor, and that I am blessed to have practiced where I did, when I did, and am fortunate to have been born in America.  Life has been good to me.  I am grateful.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 28

Since I don't know if I'll ever actually meet Dr. Kevin Leman to thank him, I'm going to do it here. Thank you, Dr Leman. I wholeheartedly agree with a description on your website: You bring common sense to common problems.  One of Dr. Leman's books in particular has been helpful in my marriage, and one of his quotes has been particularly helpful in my parenting. I'll share the book at the end of this post and share the quote now.

Don't spit in their soup.

Really, until I heard this quote and had its meaning explained, I was guilty, guilty, guilty. I won't claim that all spitting has completely stopped at this point in my parenting career, but it has decreased. And, oftentimes, the spit stays in my mouth because I remember Leman's words.

As a parent, I am bombarded with questions. When the junior high and the high school years are in full swing, a lot of those questions begin with the words, "Can I go...?"  But here's the rub. You hear the request and as you are processing whether to say "yes" or "no," you begin leaning toward "no" even though there's no outstanding, blatant reason to say "no."  You just know that you aren't 100% excited about the doing of whatever it is or the timing of the subject at hand.

But you begrudgingly decide to say "yes." And the key word in that last sentence is begrudgingly. You're saying "yes" with your mouth, but every other part of your body is communicating things like, "I don't really want to say yes, " or  "Why do you have to go do stuff all the time? or, "This is really a bother to me." It's even worse when the negative nonverbal cues find their voice and you actually hear yourself following the begrudged "yes" with things like the joy killing, "Don't think we are going to make a habit of letting you do this." That, my friends, is spitting in your child's soup. It's like handing them a balloon they really wanted and poking it with a pin right as you place it in their hands.

Thanks again, Kevin Leman, for saying these words that have taken root in my parenting soul. My heart's desire is for my "yes" to be "Yes!" with my kids. And when "no" needs to be said, when it's the wise thing to say, I want to say it with the same amount of gusto and conviction.

And I want to remember what I shouldn't do.

The book I mentioned at the beginning of this post is Sheet Music. No matter how long you've been married, it's worth the read. 

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 27

On my Facebook info page, I have listed as one of my activities and interests: constantly trying to get organized. I wish I had worded that differently. It seems a little lame to me now. I'm going to change it - after this post. Unlike my friend, Sue Roweton, who is always organized, I tend to be behind the eight ball in this area. I'm making baby steps in the right direction, which is good, since I really like to be organized! And today, I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes regarding that blissful state.

You can never be too organized, just too inflexible.

Isn't that so true? Do absolutely all you can to make your life simple, streamlined, and stress free. But when something hits the radar that you weren't expecting, don't freak out. Don't believe that everything is ruined because it interfered with what you had planned or organized. Be willing to bend to new information that calls for new formations.  

Before Lou went to India in 2001, all informational papers that he brought home concerning the trip had a border around the edge. In small print, framing all four sides were the repeating words, Be flexible Be flexible Be flexible. I remember at the time thinking that we all need to remember that, not just the people going to India on a mission trip.

So, I love this saying. It frees a person up to be as hyper-organized as they want. But it also provides a much need flexibility check.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 26

I had to look up these next words. I didn't remember them exactly, but I remember the impression they left. The impression that's never left me. When I was thinking about the candidates for my 31 series, one item on the list is "Babe quote."

In 1995, I had 4 young children, so I was at a point where I watched most children's movies that came out. Babe came out that year and quickly became one of my all time favorites. The scene where Farmer Hoggett finally decides to enter Babe in the sheepdog trials contains my quote for today.

But Farmer Hoggett knew that little ideas that tickled and nagged and refused to go away, should never be ignored...for in them lie the seeds of destiny.


Our oldest child was 6 when Babe was released. Because of his July birthday and the cut off date for school, he was starting kindergarten as a 6 year old. (I was fine with that - glad that my son would be the oldest in his class rather than the youngest.)  The question remained as to whether we would send him to public school or would we homeschool.

I had met some homeschooling families here in Bolivar, MO, that had impressed me. So much so, that I began researching the idea a couple of years before we had to make that decision. I read everything I could get my hands on, went to conferences, and talked to a lot of people. When it was all said and done, and for more reasons than I want to go into here, we ended up not homeschooling that kindergarten year.

But homeschooling was one of those issues that tickled and nagged and refused to go away. We revisited the idea the next year and decided to take the plunge into that lifestyle. And since 1996, we have been homeschooling some combination of our six kids. (With the exception of 1998 - the year our youngest, Mary Grace, was born in September).

When I first heard this quote in the movie, I immediately thought of the wrestling we were doing with the homeschooling decision. I continue to be amazed at all God uses to speak to our hearts. Who would have thought such a quote - a profound quote- would be in a movie about pigs and sheep dogs. I love how God surprises us!

Now, I'm not saying we based our homeschooling decision on this quote from Babe. I don't know if I ever even mentioned it to my husband, Lou, when we would discuss this issue. But it was in the back of my mind. Its truths played out. I didn't ignore the tickling, and nagging (I couldn't!). And our destiny has been affected. God has used homeschooling to grow us, to give us joy, and (hopefully) to glorify Him.

This post is not a plug for homeschooling. It is meant to be an encouragement to any of you out there that might have something deep down that is tickling, nagging and refusing to go away - like homeschooling was for us. Don't ignore it. Take it to God, ask Him to teach you how to think about it, and what you are to do with it. Your joy and God's glory may be about to sprout from a whole new place.

Please enjoy the trailer to this inspirational movie.
That'll do, reader. That'll do.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 25

If you are a Christian, and the reality of these next words starts sinking in, this post may get your heart pounding like mine is right now. Honestly, I am having to make myself not laugh out loud for joy at this moment. I am sitting in Panera Bread, writing this while I wait for my youngest to finish soccer practice. With people all around, I'm trying to control myself. But it's difficult. This verse, 2 Corinthians 4:16, is so full, so hopeful, so good, so God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Being at midlife (literally, I turned 50 this year), I have been seeing a few hints that this body of mine is not going to last forever. Since life in this body is all I've known, that reality doesn't necessarily make me want to stand up and do a tap dance. Because my body's demise is a certainty, I must wrap my mind around it. I must come to terms with it if I want to keep from getting depressed about this non-forever body that will do nothing but get weaker for the however many years I have left.

That's where God's word comes in. Never pulling punches, God first tells it like it is. Our outer self is wasting away. And, he knows that that news causes us to lose heart. Knowing what encouraging words are coming, he can lead off with the confident statement, "so we do not lose heart." And then, the news that shatters any dismay. That tells me what is really going on with the real me. The real me, my inner self, is being renewed day by day.

Look up renewed in the dictionary, and you'll find that some good things are happening to the real you. One of the strongest definitions for renewed is: give fresh life or strength to. Pretty much the exact opposite of wasting away. Fresh life! Strength! When the truth of this verse is running through your mind as a recurring theme, telling you the truth of what is really happening to the real you, that keeps you going. That gives you hope. That puts a whole new spin on getting older. That puts on whole new spin on living. I want to remind myself of it - often.

All I can say to end is, "Wow, God. Thank you, thank you, for this. It's so full. So hopeful. So good. So You.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 24

It's difficult to argue with my next sentence. It is proven anatomically.

God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.

And we all know that everything God does, he does for a good reason. His reasons are all wise. I'm for wise and good, so I need to pay attention. I need to remember how I'm made. I need to listen twice as much as I talk.

The power and wisdom behind these words is striking a deeper chord the longer I am the parent of teenagers. What a crazy time of life the teens are. So much growth going on - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A lot of energy is being expended figuring out who they are, what they really think, and what they want to do in this life. When my kids have come to me with the issue du jour, most of the time they just need to talk. They just need for someone that they are 100% sure loves them, to listen to them. More often than not, a sincere "oh, wow," or "I'm sorry," is all I should say. They know I've heard and I care.

My problem has been that I want to completely solve their problem right then and there. Or, I want to change their attitude right then and there. It would help so much! To do that, I need to talk! To them! Right then! (Not!) In reality, because I've been down the road a little farther, I probably do have some information or insight that would help them. But because they have so much that needs to come out before anything new can possibly go in, I need to remember that I have two ears and one mouth. That I am to do twice as much listening as talking. Then maybe, at another time, we could have another conversation that is a little more give and take. But even then, I need to remember how I'm made - and that I'm made that way for a reason.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 23

Time management is a constant issue for me. We all have lots to do and we often say we don't have enough time to get it all done. If I ever had the chance to express that sentiment to Elisabeth Elliot, I know exactly what she would say because she's said it already.

There is always time to do the will of God.

This post is the third time related one I've done. You would think I'd have one "go-to" phrase that I'd hear in my head when I'm feeling the crunch. But sometimes, you need to hear the same thing in a different way. It's good to have more than one bullet in your gun. 

This statement pulls the God card. That's a big bullet. That's a call to check what you are involved in more than just how you are scheduling your time. Maybe you feel crunched because you are involved in some things that you shouldn't be. The "shouldn'ts" are using up the ''shoulds'" time. Does what you are doing line up under the priorities you have set for your family?

When our kids were little, Lou and I would talk through the goals we had for each of our kids. Homeschooling kind of forces you to do this. I even wrote them down and then we'd evaluate what we were doing with them, what things we were letting them be involved in to see if it all lined up with those goals. (I'm kind of impressed we did that.)Well, we've gotten lazy as we've gotten older and as they've gotten older and we don't do that any more. (I'm kind of depressed we did that.) All that to say that the process of thinking through the goals you really want for you and your family and how you need to spend your time in getting closer to those goals - is an extremely helpful process. 

We should ask God to give us wisdom in this. He is not behind the pressure we feel in our lives. He is not asking us to do more than he knows we can do. He equips for what he requires. 

I want to remember that. There is always time (and energy) to do the will of God.

31 Days of Words for the Daily Dash-Day 22

I ended my Day 21 post with a prayer. So it seemed fitting to continue in that vein and share with you one of my favorite prayers. I hesitate to use the word favorite in regard to this prayer, because almost every time I pray it, I'm in angst, and favorite is a word that smiles. Angst does not smile. But it is one of my most faith filled prayers. And by that, I mean that I wait for God to answer it. I often plead for God to answer it. I expect God to answer it.

Lord, teach me how to think about this.

When I am blindsided by an issue or information where my instincts point me in the direction of dismay or anger, I can feel my blood pressure start to rise. Caustic words start lining up in my brain ready to make the trip out of my mouth. Thankfully, about this time also, flashing red warning lights start going off. They signal that major regret is ahead if my course doesn't change. God reminds me of the words I need to breathe instead of the words I think I need to say. Lord, teach me how to think about this. 

When I am clueless about what to do in a particularly confusing parenting situation...Lord, teach me how to think about this.

When I'm confused about a decision where two choices seem equally good...Lord, teach me how to think about this.

All battles for right living are first won with right thinking. To ask God for help with right thinking has been one of my lifelines. It's been one of my life lessons. It is one of my life prayers.